The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks How do you remove the hood springs?

I've looked in the '66 manual and it shows a special tool to remove the hood springs from the inner fenders. However I can't locate a tool like it shows. Does anyone else have another method that works? I need to take the springs off my old inner fenders and put them on my new ones.

Thanks

I kept putting scrap pieces of metal into the spring slots (about 1/8 inch thick) with the hood up until I had them all filled up. Then lower the hood (I think I recall that step correctly) till the springs dis-engage.
Be sure to keep the spacers in until the spring is ready to go back in as the spring is rather stout if you try to expand it and remove them. However it can be done.
You know I always said I was going to weld up a couple of those tools. :-)

if you take the front bolt out then lossen the rear bolt some the hinge will pivot( hold on the hinge so it don't move very fast) enough for you to remove the spring. hope this helps.

I'll try both and see which is easier.
Thanks!

Let us know how you fare. I am about the try the same project.

TOOL I made to remove & put springs back on. Open the hood push it into the spring, wrap a couple of wire tires or bailing wire around it, wrap a rag around it if you like and/or have good paint & then close the hood & the springs will fall out or just hang there..Joe

I removed the front bolt and let the whole assembly pivot on the rear bolt and it worked fine. I was unable to put shims in the spring because I don't have the hood on anymore to use as leverage to tension the springs.

Thanks for everyone's help!

easy to do. you are welcome. if you need any more help please let the members here know, everyone will be glad to help. enjoy your truck.

How do you get the springs back on?

this may sound funny but get a strap with a hook on it like a cambuckle strap and hook it on the spring and around your waist .you have enough strengh to stretch the spring now and reinstal???!!-it works for me!

try this TECH TIP

Thanks for push. I will review.
HB

Thanks for the tip about using a jack-stand to stretch the spring. I was wondering how to stretch it in order to paint it as well-now I know!

Thanks

I use a pair of Vise-Grip pliers with a deep neck, to remove and install hood springs. Put one end on the hood hinge and the other end through the pliers in the clamped-closed position...stretch the spring until you can insert the spring end into the slot in the inner fender brace. It works the same way to remove. I have found this to be the fastest, safest way and it doesn't damage the finish on the spring or the hinge.